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63 thoughts on “WHY change NOW?”

Another post that hit home. Lately, the observation of my life has been leaving me in panic mode. Knowing what I must walk through before I even arrive at the “fun stage” I honestly don’t even know if I can do it. So many of my choices I made today I would do differently. I just wrote a post about this …. change. How do we change? It’s not easy and it’s scary and confusing. And in taking those baby steps to work towards change, we honestly don’t know what we are doing yet at least we are trying. Ever since my Mom died, I’ve deeply looked at my life and have found it wanting. Instead of seeing the whole picture I’ve decided to focus on one piece of the puzzle at a time. And then the surprises happen …. seems when we are intent on changing aspects of our lives, those changes connect to those around us and those people change. VERY interesting process to observe in “neutral”. Thank you for the confirmation I needed. I’m still in the “scary stage”. *Breathe*

One area of my life where I am always looking for change is in my art. I look for new ways to approach familiar subjects, ideas for new subject matter, but also new ways of thinking about the drawing of the subject, etc. I think it’s a good analog for change in other areas of my life — and I strive to use it as a motivation for the other aspects. It’s complicated though. We are always in balance between change and stasis since we need familiarity and continuity too. How much of the familiar, how much of the new. Finding what works and changing when what used to work doesn’t work so well anymore.

Very kind of you to ask, thank you. Usually the desire to change comes from art historical sources. I see works of art from the past whose artists are doing something that I think would be interesting to approach in a modern way. Sometimes works by contemporary artists will prompt similar desire to try a specific visual idea. This sort of influence is very focused and idiosyncratic, relating to the art that I love. It might be similar to how musicians find new repertoire. It has to be within your existing skills set. You might decide to attempt something that you’ve never done before, but there needs to be some sense that you can figure out the new elements based upon what you already know. Thus it presents a challenge but not utterly radical difference. So I venture into partly familiar/partly strange territory. It is internally driven. Recently a friend sent me a picture through social media that she thought I would like, and indeed I did, and that painting was one that I look at and think there’s something there interesting to try in my version. Usually though I come upon new material randomly (I am always searching for things) and when something strikes a spark that’s when I want to follow some of that direction myself.

I want to find challenges. I like to attempt what seems difficult — the difficult idea reinforces what you already know because you use the existing skills to meet the challenge. It tests and sharpens what you already know. It takes you a bit further than you were. It’s incremental change.

I am just noting the emphasis you place upon “now” — and I agree that the “now” feature is very significant. Procrastination is the enemy of change, and its charms are illusory. So for example I was saying that I attempt difficult tasks but ones that seem at least solvable. However, say I take on something that turns out to be simply way too difficult. In art, at least, and in many areas of life this kind of failure is a big “so what.” Even in failure you learn “something.” I grant I wouldn’t want a surgeon to attempt the utterly new and different thing on me without at least practicing on a mannequin or something. But most of life isn’t surgery. And of course in areas like that, people still strategize how they can get from the familiar to the experimental with the least risk exposure.

But you do have to begin with “now.” When you get the idea that moment is the good time to begin first steps of its implementation. Even if you cannot accomplish it completely, the first steps are important to take. First steps might be as simple as writing the idea down.

After my husband died I had to make some changes in our house and I found it hard to move his belongings. I let myself have the period of grief I needed. But one day, I thought I have to move “these books” as part of a larger renovation, and to begin that task which seemed so big and portentous, I just took a handful of books off the shelf and put them on a table that was sitting near by. That was it. That’s all I did. But later I was able to do the whole task. I knew that even a small arbitrary gesture would count emotionally. And it did.

Thank you for sharing your ongoing journey from pain to power. Helping people transform challenges into opportunities for growth is my life’s mission. You Aletha, are a beautiful example of the process.

I think that bad times just leave us with no choice (… wait. Sometimes we still keep choosing no change at all…). At some point we might (or not) experience a certain amount of awareness that naturally changes us.

Exactly B! And if we can pave the way between “what was” and “what will be” with dreams & unconditional trust in ourselves. We’ll finally see the light at the end of the tunnel aka our highest potential, that’s been waiting to be claimed, our whole life.🌟💫

OMG! You’ve done it again, Doc. I visited your site to save it in my Google Keeps because I am leaving the Blogging World. My friend Change is here visiting me and, I have extended her stay😊. Your post is alignment as well as a jumping off point for me to receive more clarity regarding this change. I appreciate you for being a welcomed contributor on this journey of mine. Thank you!

How cool is that! Definitely synchronicity in action. (Smiling as I type this 😉 I will miss you in the Blogging World for sure. But I am so proud of you for stepping out! Thank you for continuing to follow my posts (google keeps, so sweet) when you leave WordPress. Rest assured knowing, that my good vibes will follow wherever you go! 🙂

I recently took a course on Motivational Interviewing where I learned that all the advice I gave to others really wasn’t a good way of helping people. Helping people understand their own motivations for change, their strengths, their resilience, and for them to make a plan of action that is achievable. Intrinsic motivators are key to change with most people. I am in the process of learning MI and I am considering learning more about Positive Psychology as well. As always, thanks for you post Andrea!

Motivational Interviewing is brilliant. I refer to it often when working with nursing and healthcare students. So often we “tell patients” how to change – instead of inviting them into the change process itself. As MI theory posits, asking patients / clients what they’ve already tried in changing their health habits and behaviour is a powerful starting point. (As you’ve discussed above.) Thank you for sharing Darryl. You are right on point!

I am currently a student at my local community college where I am studying Human Services (psychology, casework, MI, psychopharmacology, counseling, etc.). I don’t know what I’m going to do with my education yet, but I’m enjoying the journey and will “walk-through open doors!”

Another wonderfully insightful post! I believe that most of my anxiety stems from a fear of the unknown. This same fear usually prevents me from seeking changes – even when they are potentially very positive. I’m currently working on expanding my comfort zone to include the unknown, but it’s definitely a work in progress and I have to admit that fear/anxiety get into a stalemate with my motivation a lot of the time.

Fear of the unknown can be paralyzing. For the most part, I have overcome the fear of the unknown. I have “unique” barriers, many opportunities that are not available to me, so I now use a “unique” approach to finding opportunities: Walk through open doors!” Rather than being discouraged by doors that are closed, I am encouraged by the doors that are open. This change in perspective is transformational! Have a wonderful day!

You’re the best! Thank you for your motivating feedback. AND your personal experience of how change translates personally for you.

That said, I think you’d really enjoy my 8 minute interview on CBC-TV where I talk about how fear (aka resistance) of change holds ups back and how to break through to the other side. (Right in line with your ideas above.)

Great post. For most people, true long lasting change comes from a life changing event or something unpleasant. Also think most people are reluctant to change, but change should be part of our natural evolution as people. Hope you are well.

Excellent points about change. Too often it takes tragedy to propel us out of our comfort zones. A place that is anything but comfortable for most.

But as we all know and have lived — too often we choose the devil we know fo fear of what’s on the other side. Not knowing that “The Wizard of Oz” is some punk hiding behind a curtain with a megaphone.

I say, like you, rise up and choose the change — in every moment of every single glorious day.

Very insightful, thank you! It is indeed very difficult to change, and I am currently in this messy “middle” part in my career path. But I can certainly see how rewarding taking the plunge can be. Lean into the discomfort!

I’m trying to transform into someone with healthy lifestyle even though as you mentioned ‘ people wait for something bad happens before they make the change’. Spot on. Something bad has happened in my life and I may be too late to change but better late than never?

Great examples of this concept Paul. And thank you for sharing how it got your creativity flowing. I love how bloggers inspire each other to write! I’m going over to your site right now to check it out.

I love that last one I made some art for “if nothing ever changed there would be no butterflies.” I so love butterflies. Love this post too. I’m catching up a bit I’ve been gone a little bit and not as active on WP. ❤